Carbon disulfide. I. The metabolism of inhaled carbon disulfide in the rat.

The pharmacokinetics of inhaled carbon disulfide (CS2) vapor was evaluated in rats. Estimates of free CS2 and its nonvolatile, acid-labile metabolites (AL CS2) were made in a variety of rat tissues after an 8-hour inhalation exposure to CS2 vapor (2 mg/l of air). At the end of the exposure, all tissues examined contained appreciable amounts of the native solvent and AL CS2. Elimination of CS2 from the rat during the postexposure period was rapid and occurred primarily via the lungs. Excretion of AL CL2 occurred primarily via the kidneys and was prolonged with respect to that of free CS2. Accumulation of these metabolites upon repeated exposures and their presence in all tissues examined suggest that they may play a role in the toxicity of CS2.